3 big Idaho wildfires resist containment efforts

Published On: Sep 03 2012 11:11:37 AM PDT
BOISE, Idaho -

Firefighters in Idaho continue to battle three large wildfires that are proving difficult to bring under control.

   In central Idaho, the 194-square-mile Halstead Fire is only 7 percent contained and has moved to within about three miles north of Stanley. It' been keeping crews busy by shooting out embers and starting spot fires. But State Highways 75 and 21 remain open.

   To the south, back burns on the 226-square-mile Trinity Ridge Fire have been effective in protecting Featherville and an evacuation order was lifted Sunday morning. Crews have been trying to slow the fire's growth toward the Middle Fork Boise River with helicopter water drops. The fire is 31 percent contained.

   Along the Idaho-Montana border, fire managers say the 329-square-mile Mustang Complex of fires will be difficult to contain without rain or snow.